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Related Concept Videos

Hormones of the Pituitary Gland01:27

Hormones of the Pituitary Gland

The small, pea-sized pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. It is crucial in regulating various bodily functions, from growth to reproduction. The gland is divided into the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The secretory cell clusters in the pars distalis of the anterior pituitary lobe are controlled by hypothalamic regulators and synthesize six primary hormones.
The most abundantly secreted hormone from the anterior lobe is the growth hormone, which controls overall growth by...
Regulation of Hormone Secretion01:19

Regulation of Hormone Secretion

Regulation of hormone secretion is a finely tuned orchestration driven by various types of stimuli, encompassing neural, humoral, and hormonal signals. Environmental cues instigate neural stimuli, where action potentials traverse nerve fibers to reach their designated targets. An illustrative scenario is the body's response to stress, wherein the sympathetic nervous system releases epinephrine from the adrenal glands, inducing the well-known 'fight or flight' reaction.
Humoral stimuli,...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle01:22

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle01:30

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle.  At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Major Hormones and Their Functions01:27

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration01:27

Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration

Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Remote Neuronal Activation Coupled with Automated Blood Sampling to Induce and Measure Circulating Luteinizing Hormone in Mice
08:56

Remote Neuronal Activation Coupled with Automated Blood Sampling to Induce and Measure Circulating Luteinizing Hormone in Mice

Published on: August 25, 2023

Prolactin secretion patterns: basic mechanisms and clinical implications for reproduction.

Marcel Egli1, Brigitte Leeners, Tillmann H C Kruger

  • 1Space Biology Group, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, ETH Zurich, 8005 Zurich, Switzerland.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|August 25, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Prolactin (PRL) secretion is complex, involving hypothalamic control and oxytocin. A PRL surge after sexual activity may aid pregnancy initiation in humans and rodents.

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Performing Vaginal Lavage, Crystal Violet Staining, and Vaginal Cytological Evaluation for Mouse Estrous Cycle Staging Identification
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09:01

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Published on: September 15, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Prolactin (PRL) is a versatile hormone influencing reproduction, metabolism, and immunity.
  • Complex neural control of PRL secretion involves multiple hypothalamic nuclei.
  • The precise role of PRL in human reproduction requires further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review mechanisms controlling PRL secretion using experimental and mathematical approaches.
  • To investigate the role of PRL in reproduction, focusing on rhythmic secretion and sexual activity.
  • To explore theoretical and clinical implications of PRL secretion patterns in humans.

Main Methods:

  • Review of experimental data on hypothalamic control of hormone secretion.
  • Analysis of mathematical models and computer studies of the hypothalamic-pituitary network.
  • Examination of recent human studies on PRL surges post-sexual climax.

Main Results:

  • Oxytocin identified as a crucial PRL-releasing factor in rodent pregnancy models.
  • Sustained PRL surge observed in both males and females after sexual climax.
  • Altered PRL rhythmic patterns and surges suggest a role in pregnancy initialization.

Conclusions:

  • PRL secretion is intricately regulated by the hypothalamus.
  • Sexual activity-induced PRL surges may play a role in human reproductive functions.
  • Further research is essential to confirm the role of PRL in human pregnancy initiation.